Thread: Straight Razors in the 1897 Sears Roebuck catalog

Yesterday I was browsing the graphic design shelves in the bookstore when I came across a reprint of the 1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. catalog. What an astounding cultural artifact! They sold absolutely everything, and had pictures to boot. I thought I'd share some of the razor listings. Be warned, the sight of a W&B 5/8 being offered for $0.85 may lead to crying.

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Wow thanks for posting this!

Wish they were still that price. Great find!

Very Cool pictures! Thanks for adding these. I have been looking for the Sears Roebuck Catalog resissues.

Kyle

Great info! I hadn't seen the notch tip referred to as a hollow point razor before

Originally Posted by rugrad02

Very Cool pictures! Thanks for adding these. I have been looking for the Sears Roebuck Catalog resissues.

Kyle

Kyle, a 1902 Sears catalog is in the SRP library here http://straightrazorpalace.com/downl...id=28&act=down

I notice that many of the razors are listed as having "rubber" handles. I've never come across one like that.

Next ot the Boker it reads: "If properly used will not require any honing in private use" That's all the fun out of the window!

Originally Posted by norman931

I notice that many of the razors are listed as having "rubber" handles. I've never come across one like that.

You've probably seen them, just not known it was rubber. Instinctively, when I hear rubber, I think of like a car tire. But these are hardened rubber; they look and feel just like plastic, as hardened rubber was one of the first plastics. You can tell that some black-plastic scales are actually hardened rubber by rubbing your fingers back and forth on them, and generate some friction. Then smell them. It will smell like burning rubber.

Price wise you gotta remember a dollar was probably a days wage for the average joe back in the day.

Nice find and great move posting it! Thanks.